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I am a big fan of quotes. It amazes me to see how eloquent many people have been over the centuries; how a few words can really say so much. One of my favorites is “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”These words are credited to several sources but most commonly to Father James Keller, a Catholic priest who wrote ...

You will encounter different viewpoints on the value of your property in adjusting your fire loss or in claiming a casualty loss on your federal income tax. Knowing the following terms will help you understand the process used to determine the value of your fire loss: *Your personal valuation:* Your personal loss of goods through fire may be difficult to measure. ...

This week, I had a question that comes from a frustrated exerciser who likes to swim and either cannot make the pool times or the pool is closed at the times he can reserve time in his schedule. Cross-training with other cardio options is always healthy. Runners get injured three times as much as people who cross-train with swimming, biking and ...

Here is an email from a military man seeking to get better at his pull-ups and pushups for an upcoming PFT for Special Ops Selection. _Thank you for the 14 day "pull up":http://firelink.monster.com/training/articles/163-pull-up-tips and the "push up routine.":http://firelink.monster.com/training/articles/164-stuck-on-pushups-try-the-pushup-push-workout I did it to the letter, doing on average of a 130 pull ups and 300+ pushups per work out. I went from ...

This thought provoking article will probably stir some feelings, perhaps even rub some the wrong way, and maybe even get a few, “he hit that nail on the head.” Especially when we look at our capabilities as a rescue provider, and what our department says we can do. The way a lot of folks see it, if we do some training ...

The million-dollar question, do we really train enough in vehicle extrication? In our minds, most of us would say yes. In reality, the answer is probably no. Can we truly train enough? We could if extrication was the only responsibility we had in fire, rescue and EMS. But we know that most of us have many more responsibilities than just extrication. ...

*+Basic Eligibility Requirements+* The fire department will post the entry-level requirements on the job description flyer. In order for a candidate’s application to be accepted, the minimum requirements must be met. While entry-level requirements vary from department to department, most require candidates to be at least 18 years of age. Some require applicants to be at least 21 years old. Most ...

When you read this we will be moving into early Fall. I hope everyone’s Summer was good, and you were able to enjoy some family time, personal time and just good “ole” down time. Something we all need in our careers as Fire/Rescue/EMS providers. Sometimes we just have to put ourselves first, a totally different concept for some of us. In ...

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This statement certainly applies to the interview portion of the firefighter exam, where you only have one opportunity to make a favorable first impression. Even before the start of an interview, the first thing the raters will notice about you is your overall demeanor and appearance. Your eye contact, facial ...

Hundreds of departments across the country are represented here on FireLink. If you want to get your department's website up on our directory, please submit it using the information below. - Want to get linked? Email: info@firelink.com for more information. - See your link here? Make sure to add a link to FireLink on your site. h4. Arkansas • Van Buren ...

When this column reaches you, school for the most part will be out for the summer. However, there are year around schools all across the state. My step daughter Taylor, attends a year around middle school and attended a year around elementary school. So just because it may be summer, doesn’t mean that some of the school buses are not still ...

This flight simulator puts you in the pilot's seat during one of the three experimental United States Navy torpedo bombers during World War II. Your mission: get to the end of the level destroying as many enemies as possible.

Firefighters face an immense number of occupational dangers – but what many people may not consider is the risk of asbestos exposure, and the failure to recognize this dangerous hazard may be costing firefighters their life. Asbestos exposure is the only confirmed cause of pleural mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer that affects the lungs. An SCBA, or self-contained breathing apparatus, ...

At a recent fire I overheard the incident commander tell the mutual aid rapid intervention team, “Thanks for coming; my guys would have killed me if I assigned them as RIT.” Take a minute and think about that. If you are assigned as RIT at a fire, is that your attitude? If it is, stop reading, you’re wasting your time. If ...

Usually, after 8-9 months of challenging running and calisthenics based workouts (see Solstice Plan), I am ready for a few months of non-impact aerobics of indoor swimming and biking for cardiovascular workout options. However, this year, I have tested out some gear during the 30 degrees days of the past month and feel like pushing it a little during the winter ...

h4. What will I do? Working closely with emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics manage the health of patients until they can be examined by a doctor to get further help. On any shift, their patients might be a woman having a heart attack, a man who broke a bone in a car accident or a child struggling to breathe. Interview with ...

I first would like to share some information that all Instructors like to hear from classes they have taught. Several weeks back, I taught a heavy truck rescue class at the Cooper’s Fire Department in Nash County. On Friday of the following week, I received a phone call from Assistant Chief Jamie Moss, in reference to a motor vehicle crash that ...

More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings – in or near forests, rural areas, or remote mountain sites. There, homeowners enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wildfire. Every year across our Nation some homes survive after a major wildfire while many others do not. Those that survive almost always do ...